News for the beekeeping community from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Ryan F. Quarles, Ed.D., Commissioner ~ Tammy Horn Potter, Ph.D., State Apiarist
Tana Peers and her Welsh Judge hat and coat; James Kolasa.
Outstanding, in the world's strongest system
Welsh honey judges wear their distinction proudly

The Welsh system of honey judging standardization and certification is the most stringent in the world. Here are two progress reports:

TANA PEERS (Shelbyville, Ky.): Watch my hat and coat
In Tana's words: "I began my certification in 2012, and I graduated the first year in a stewardship to assist other Welsh judges. At that level, I was not allowed to judge, but to help with the set-up and all record- keeping for each show. In the Georgia Welsh Honey Judge Program, a steward has to work a minimum of three certified shows, assisting certified judges before I could go to the next level, which is level-2 judging. 

"I stewarded under Robert Brewer and Keith Fielder, two judges from Georgia. These men were trained by Michael Young, MBE (Master of the British Empire) from Scotland, and were the only two Welsh Honey Judges in the U.S. at that time. 

"The next year, since I completed the third level, I got to attend Young Harris College in Georgia again, and this time I was being trained as a Certified Welsh Honey Judge. I worked diligently for three days to pass my test and to be awarded the coveted hat and coat one earns for graduating the program. 

"Nine people started the course and three, including me, earned the title of Welsh Honey Judge. I don’t remember the overall cost of the program, but it is less than $200 for a week for three years. 

"I now judge seven county fairs in Kentucky each year and local honey shows. I’m qualified to judge anything that has to do with Apis mellifera mellifera, made by the honey bee, including wax, candles and photos of bees. In one show in Canada, I got to judge beer and furniture wax made with beeswax.

"Another fun thing is that I’ve had a couple of stewards to assist me, and that was a great help. I have a sweet job."

JAMES KOLASA (Lexington, Ky.): In the home stretch
James Kolasa’s training was interrupted due to the pandemic; he hopes to finish next year. It takes at least two years to complete the training, put together the requirements, and get tested.

Kolasa’s training took place at Young Harris Beekeeping Institute at Young Harris College on Georgia’s northern border. Other programs are at Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and are coming soon to South Carolina and Tennessee.

The program conducts beginner training, followed by a year of stewarding several shows and compiling a portfolio and a judging kit. “Then you return to the Institute, present your portfolio and your judging kit, and take your licensing exam,” Kolasa said. 

Kolasa has stewarded several large shows in Georgia, judged shows in Kentucky, and given public presentations on preparing show exhibits. He enjoys being in the forefront of honey production excellence. “No matter if my own bees are having a good year or bad year, I get to ‘stay in the game’ and see what others are producing,” Kolasa said.
Small
producers
are exempt
from fees

Producers who sell
less than 150 gallons
(1,800 pounds)
of honey in a year
off the farm,
as defined in
KRS 217.187,
are not required
to process the honey
in a certified
honey house
or in a food processing
establishment,
nor shall they
be required to
obtain a permit from the Cabinet.

-- Articles reviewed by
Julie D. Brooks, Department for
Public Health.
Public Health Dept. says inspection fees likely will not change in 2021
More than 300 comments were received on a proposed increase in inspection fees for larger-scale beekeepers, according to policy specialist Julie D. Brooks, Department for Public Health.

The approval process that begins with responding to those 300 comments will extend at least into 2021, Brooks said.

Two regulation-review state legislative subcommittees might, or might not, have their final version ready for the 2021 state legislature.

Since current laws specify end-of-year renewal dates, rates would likely not change until after December 2021 at the earliest.

The fee structure is uncertain at this stage. The law requires the fee cover permitting and inspection costs. A rumor of a $1,500 “licensing fee” is false, Brooks said.

During the approval process, the Department for Public Health “will consider adjusting proposed fees to be more fair and equitable for our small producers,” Brooks said.
KSBA members: Honey houses topic of Zoom meeting Sept. 19
Sept. 19: KSBA members-only meeting with Paul Rice, Food Safety Branch, Department of Public Health (right).Topic: Honey house design and challenges. Other speakers include Sarah Preston with a CKHP update, and KSBA president Mike Mabry. 5 p.m. EDT, 4 CDT. Members will receive invitations and instructions on how to join via Google Meet.
Pollinators Zoom into Sept. 1 meeting
Sept. 1: Pollinator Stakeholders meeting, via Zoom, with Dr. Dan Potter, University of Kentucky; and other officials and topics, 10 a.m. - noon, EDT. Meeting will also be recorded for later access.
2020 KSBA Beekeeper Of The Year nominations due

2020 Beekeeper of the Year nominations should be submitted before Oct. 1 by an officer of a local association in good standing. The official voting will be conducted among past KSBA Beekeepers of the Year.

An officer should send a nominee's name, address, phone, email if possible; and a brief (10-line) reason for the nomination by email to Joe Taylor (click for link) or by mail to P.O. Box 234, Leitchfield, KY 42755.
Save the date for Fall KSBA meeting
Nov. 7: Fall meeting, Kentucky State Beekeepers Association. All other details -- time, place, whether virtual or in-person -- are pending.
Kelley/Mann Lake bee supply company employee Stephanie Slayton (left in the group) presented 2020 American Honey Princess Sydnie Paulsrud with a handcrafted "Save the Bees" face mask. Paulsrud and Kentucky State Apiarist Tammy Potter (right) toured the Clarkson bee supply plant during the Princess's visit, which was originally scheduled for the scaled-back Kentucky State Fair. (KDA photos Jim Trammel)
Princess Sydnie meets Commissioner Ryan Quarles (second from left) at the State Fair site Aug. 25. They were joined by Tammy, Sarah, and Kentucky State Beekeepers Association (KSBA) president Mike Mabry (left). Princess Sydnie later conducted a Facebook cooking demonstration and visited with the Capital City Beekeepers of Frankfort. (KDA photo Alexis Smith)
Fascinating video modifies opinions
on how honey bees drink nectar
Honey bees prove versatility by drinking nectar in a variety of ways, according to the study that generated this video.
Recipe of the Month: Moisturizing Lotion
Beeswax can nurture and replenish skin to its healthiest appearance. Each ingredient was chosen for its nourishing and moisturizing qualities. It works for dry, oily, or mature skin types.
1/2 c. coconut oil                                  1 c. aloe vera gel
3 T. jojoba oil                          10 drops frankincense essential oil
3/4 oz. yellow or white beeswax      10 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Tools: measuring cups, double boiler or bain marie pot, immersion blender, small mixing bowl, spatula, fork, jars for storing, labels.

Measure and add the coconut and jojoba oils and the beeswax to your bain marie or double boiler. Make sure the bottom pan has the proper amount of water, if using a double boiler. Melt over low heat until it has liquefied, and stir to combine ingredients. Transfer this to your small mixing bowl and allow to harden. Source: Betterbee.com
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